Welcome to my world of craft!

And it’s done!! A whole month of me Made outfits, some days I actually managed to wear totally handmade which was really surprising.

What this month has shown me is that I have lots of work clothes and basics like tshirts (which is why the challenge was not as hard as I thought) but really need to focus on more difficult makes such as jeans and dedicate more time to the process!

I also realised I have no where enough summer makes!! The sun came out in Britain last week for a few days, reaching 30 degrees and I was starting to struggle to find me Made outfits. I have a few Cami tops, a play suit (but no good for work!!) and one maxi dress. I need to get on with some shorts for the next bit of sunshine…. you never know when it’s coming or for how long in this country!!

This is my notch collar jacket pattern from simple sew, free with love sewing magazine a while ago .

I bought this fab cream scuba with peach lace overlay in fabricland a few months ago with notion to sew a named saunio cardigan with it. However, once i made one saunio top I figured this would be too thick so it relinquished in my fabric stash.

Then I came across this pattern and thought it might work:

It should have pockets on the front but it felt too busy so I left them off. I still need to bind the seams inside with bias tape as for some reason they itch me like crazy.

The scuba is warm and comfortable but where the seams have been cut and overlocked, either the lace or scuba has become itchy.

I really like this jacket and regularly get compliments on it at work (and a request for a commission!!)

Close up of the amazing fabric, fabricland can be such a treasure trove and still only £5 a metre!!

I actually made jeans!! I blogged about these Trousers here when they were on my disaster list, but I persevered and now I love them.

The zip got replaced and although the lapped part of the zip doesn’t sit as flat as I would like, it doesn’t bother me as I am not likely to wear cropped tops any more!

Obligatory bum shot to evidence the fit I managed to achieve. I think I would put the pockets on a little lower next time but they are still deep enough to put my mobile in when necessary.

The fabric is a black stretch denim from fabricland. It seems pretty good and the knees don’t bag out even after a few wears but there are signs of tiny elastic threads showing against the black which is frustrating. I also failed to note any of my adjustments as I was pinning and sewing as I went so not sure how I can replicate these 🙁

This shirt is the mimi blouse from Tilly and the buttons book. I really like the look of this top with the little collar and riches back detail. However, I think I picked the wrong fabric.

This red polka dot cotton is a bit to stiff and doesn’t drape well so I feel the collar sits off my chest too much. I might make another in a more viscose fabric as I keep seeing lots of lovely versions and a bit disappointed with this one.

Another week completed and no repeat outfits yet…. I need to figure out if I can find 11 more outfits!

I have a half completed Nettie bodysuit (that doesn’t fit so needs to be hacked ☹️) and fabric ready for a pair of flint trousers to make this week. I also picked up the new free tank top pattern from itch to stitch to fit in this month.

Monday

Top – Megan Nielsen briar top – fabricland

Dress- vogue v8667- fabric from an independent shop in a little village

I bought the sew over it Ella blouse from the PDF club last month but didn’t get round to make it until this week.

I popped to my local fabric land to get some fabric for a few other projects ( flint trousers and another Nettie bodysuit) and got distracted by some pineapple viscose fabric that I thought would look great as an ella blouse.

It’s pretty high waisted so can only be worn with high waisted trousers or skirts but that works for me. I wore this today with my sew house seven Alberta street skirt.

The pattern is really well drafted and clever how it finishes the inside so neatly. I’m not sure on the fit on the arms though, they are cut in one piece but that restricts movement when you reach forward.

I’ll definitely wear this wrap top in the summer as a sun protection. I did wear it to work today and no one commented…. probably thinking I was crazy in my pineapple shirt!!!

I love this jacket so much!! I bought this pattern when the monthly stitch had a challenge for sewing something that was released a long time ago and I hadn’t made yet. I ended up entering the grainline moss skirt as that was another pattern I missed the boat on a few years ago.
Grainline patterns are so well drafted and have such great details and the Morris does not disappoint.

I made this in a grey stretch fabric from Minerva fabric in their sale. It’s boucle effect on the outside and black smooth jersey on the inside and works so well for a jacket.
I put off sewing this for a couple of weeks thinking I should make a toile before cutting into my lovely fabric, but for those of you who follow me will know…..I never toile anything. Not even my wool duffle coat!!
When I finally got on with this, it was made in about 3-4 hours and was a perfect fit.

I think I need some more white tops to go underneath or maybe a black t shirt (I don’t own a lot of black clothes and certainly no black tops!).

I am determined to be more dedicated to me made May this year and take photos every day, and post once a week with the full weeks outfits.
I am hoping this will help direct me to see my style and figure out the gaps in my wardrobe. Already after one week I can see a huge gap with trousers in my handmade wardrobe. I have a few pairs of ultimate trousers but I am not happy with the fit on one and the fabric choice on another. I have found a lot of lovely looking patterns on the foldline.
Do you have a favourite trousers pattern to recommend?

Well that’s one week down…..I own a lot of jeans from next which is probably why I am not driven to make my own as I am happy with the fit from all three pairs.
I need more white tops and more vest tops in neutral colours, and I need more trousers…..tatb marigold trousers almost finished as I type.

I’m not very good with technology, mainly due to having a rubbish mobile with no memory space (due to my Sew Awesome app which held all my sewing patterns but alas is no more after my husband “fixed” my phone).
I prefer to have something physical to hold but not adverse to solutions to help me find patterns, a bit like kindle vs book, and similar to that debate I fall somewhere in the middle.

I have a lot of patterns, and even more now I have gotten over my fear of pdf files and what if I lost them or couldn’t download them!
I print my pdf patterns off and put them in clear a4 wallets to hold the instructions and cut out pieces and actually quite enjoy the process of sticking the pattern together, safe in the knowledge that I could share print out a new one of I needed to.

Recently I have tried to review my wardrobe to make it more cohesive and increase my ability to wear a fully me made outfit (which I love the satisfaction of telling someone if they ask where I bought it from).
I am finally winning on this challenge, although I need to look towards spring and summer and keep the momentum going, I now have an answer…..

…..I use croquis images to draw outfits combining already existing makes with ideas based on stashed patterns or other Indi based patterns I have saved in my ever growing favourites list on the foldline.

I am not the best artist in the world but enjoy sketching ideas and colours while watching tv on an evening. Combining pattern ideas and thinking about what I already own and what colours I am missing.